Colorado Avalanche at Carolina Hurricanes

Carolina has earned a standings point in each of its last eight home games versus the Avalanche, going 7-0-1. The Avs' last regulation win in Raleigh came on January 12, 2008 (5-4).

The Hurricanes have lost back-to-back games after opening the season 4-0-1. Carolina has averaged 5.25 goals in its four wins (21/4), compared to 1.33 per game in three losses (4/3).

Colorado has scored an NHL-high eight goals in the final 5:00 of the third period this season, including the game-winner and an empty-netter in Thursday's 5-3 win at New Jersey.

Gabriel Landeskog recorded his third career hat trick on Thursday, with the other two coming last season. It was the first road hat trick by a Colorado player against an Eastern Conference opponent since Alex Tanguay on January 21, 2004 at Florida.

Colorado's Mikko Rantanen and Carolina's Sebastian Aho each have at least one assist in their team's first seven games. Those are the longest such NHL streaks since Colorado's John-Michael Liles had an assist in nine straight games to open the 2010-11 season.

Three points in the first two games of a four-game East Coast trip have given the Avalanche a good vibe.

"To get off to a start like that, guys are having fun," Landeskog said. "It's important to get a win when you stay patient and work for everything you get."

The Hurricanes have relied on an aggressive style and fast starts in games this season. The Avalanche might be playing the style that can match that.

"I think (Landeskog) had our team focused and ready to go," Colorado coach Jared Bednar said of the game against New Jersey. "I thought we were the aggressors to start the game."

Brind'Amour said the Hurricanes need to straighten out the power play, but he's generally content with what he has seen five-on-five.

"We're giving up chances, but that's going to happen," he said.

Still, the Hurricanes have made a roster move, bringing forward Clark Bishop up from Charlotte of the American Hockey League. Rookie center Martin Necas, after scoring his first NHL goal earlier in the week, and defenseman Haydn Fleury were sent to the AHL club.

Bishop will get a chance to show how he has progressed, working on the fourth line.

"We want to see (do) what he has done all training camp and those games down in Charlotte," Brind'Amour said. "He's energy. We're expecting good, hard, honest effort."

Necas doesn't figure to be down in the minors for long, Brind'Amour said. But this provides a chance for him to refine some areas.

"He's an NHL-caliber talent," Brind'Amour said. "He's playing a tough position at center. We need to get him a little more ready away from the puck. I want him to have confidence when he comes back to us."

It appears that the return of goalie Scott Darling might be a bit away as he comes back from a preseason groin injury. He has returned to practice, but he's not likely to be on the ice Saturday.

"You don't want to push it too soon," Brind'Amour said.

Right winger Sebastian Aho has at least one point in each of Carolina's first seven games.

The Carolina home game is a rarity for this weekend, with the North Carolina State Fair going on at the grounds adjacent to the arena.